ABLETON LIVE 7: Under-the-hood improvements in Live 7 include a 64-bit mix-summing audio engine, POW-r dithering, and optimized sampling-rate conversion. The new Compressor device has three compression models and sidechain capability. The Gate and Auto Filter devices also support sidechaining. High Quality modes for Operator, Dynamic Tube, and Saturator provide anti-aliased processing and reduction of digital artifacts. EQ Eight gets a facelift and a 64-bit mode for increased accuracy. The new spectrum analyzer gives visual feedback at any point in Live's signal path. REX files can now be played on audio tracks or automatically sliced into a Drum Rack. An inline mixer with a foldout channel strip for each output appears automatically for tracks that house multi-output instruments. Three new add-on instruments model electric pianos, analog synths and string instruments. Two other new add-ons, Session Drums multisampled drum libraries and Drum Machines sampled drum machines, keep the beat going. NAMM Booth #6314.
www.ableton.com

APPLE LOGIC STUDIO: Logic Studio (Mac, $499 MSRP) contains the upgraded Logic Pro 8 and is half the price of Logic Pro 7 alone. It comes with a bundle of other pro-level applications and 40 GB of content. Among the bundled applications, MainStage turns your MacBook or MacBook Pro into a live performance rig. Soundtrack Pro 2 combines multitrack audio editing with a slew of post-production tools including video integration. Waveburner is a complete CD-mastering solution, and Compressor 3 is a full-featured surround encoding utility. In addition to Logic's Studio Instruments and Studio Effects collections, you get the Studio Sound Library with over 18,000 Apple Loops and more than 6,000 instrument and effects presets, including 1,300 multisampled EXS24 instruments. NAMM Booth #212.
www.apple.com

BIAS PEAK PRO 6: Along with a redesigned GUI, Peak Pro 6 editing/processing/mastering/delivery software features enhancements to the playlist, including new crossfades, iTunes and podcast integration, and more. Among its new DSP features are voiceover ducking, Perpetual Looper (for perfect "beat free" sustained loops of single-line instrument samples), Pitch Envelope (offering pitch control via a user-customizable envelope) and Convolve Envelope (with dynamic control over the convolution applied over time). Functionality tweaks include customizable real-time volume envelopes, sample level zooming/editing, overlap/gap or centered crossfades for either mastering or "classical" style workflows. NAMM Booth #6424.
www.bias-inc.com

CAKEWALK SONAR 7.02: SONAR 7.02 features Euphonix EuCon support, providing compatibility with all Euphonix control surfaces via a plug-in, available separately. The 7.0.2 update also adds new Step Sequencer functionality and usability enhancements, along with numerous plug-in and component optimizations. In addition, the update addresses various performance and stability issues across the entire application which were reported by customers after SONAR 7's initial release and since the SONAR 7.0.1 update. The 7.0.2 update and the SONAR Euphonix EuCon Support Plug-in for both Windows XP and native Vista (32-bit) versions of SONAR 7 Producer Edition and SONAR 7 Studio Edition are available as free downloads for registered SONAR 7 customers at the company's Website. NAMM Booth #6800.
www.cakewalk.com

DIGIDESIGN MBOX 2 MICRO: The Mbox 2 Micro ($279) is a pocket-sized Pro Tools LE system no bigger than a typical USB Flash drive. Compatible with sessions produced in Pro Tools HD, Pro Tools LE or Pro Tools M-Powered systems, the Mbox 2 Micro features a rugged, compact, anodized aluminum case, 1/8-inch stereo output jack supporting up to 24-bit/48kHz audio playback and a volume wheel. It comes bundled with Pro Tools LE software, a collection of more than 45 Bomb Factory and DigiRack effects plug-ins, and Digidesign's Xpand! sample-playback/synthesis workstation. NAMM Booth #6606.
www.digidesign.com

KORG D888: The portable D888 recorder/mixer has eight inputs and eight outputs, allowing it to be placed in-line with other systems or act as both a standalone 8-track recorder and a small-format analog mixer with effects. Native WAV recording and high-speed USB 2 data transfer allow recordings to be shared with computer-based systems for full editing and final mastering. Korg is currently bundling Cubase 4 LE software for a total solution. NAMM Booth #6440.
www.korgusa.com

MARANTZ PMD620 RECORDER: This handheld recorder from Marantz offers 24- and 16-bit recording, and features two built-in condenser microphones, stereo or mono recording modes, and a choice of uncompressed 44.1kHz WAV files or three levels of MP3 file compression. The PMD620 ($499) uses an SD Flash memory card for data storage and can accept memory cards up to 2 terabytes. The unit features one-touch recording, familiar transport controls, a thumb-operated scroll wheel and a vivid organic LED (OLED) screen featuring two font sizes. Two AA batteries power the PMD620. Other features include Copy Segment editing, which uses nondestructive cut-and-paste-style editing to create a new sound file, and Skip Back, allowing transcribers to review recorded audio from 1 to 60 previous seconds. Files can be downloaded via the unit's USB 2 port. NAMM Booth #7105.
www.d-mpro.com

OLYMPUS POCKET 24/96 RECORDER: The Olympus LS-10, is a pocket-sized stereo recorder that stores audio as uncompressed 24-bit/96kHz linear PCM WAV files, as well as WMA and MP3 formats. The compact, 5.8-ounce LS-10 has 2 GB of internal memory and a card slot that accommodates Secure Digital removable media for offloading via USB to your PC/Mac DAW, or to Steinberg Cubase LE 4 software, which is bundled with the unit. Features include two built-in cardioid mics; built-in stereo speakers for field monitoring; manual recording level; and a 1.8-inch backlit LCD. Analog I/Os include 1/8-inch jacks for headphone out, external stereo mic input and unbalanced line input. Street price is slated at $399. NAMM Booth #1689.
www.olympusamerica.com

SONY ACID MUSIC STUDIO 7: Acid Music Studio 7 (Win, $59.95) offers unlimited MIDI/audio tracks, simultaneous multitrack recording, inline MIDI editing and both MP3 and ATRAC AA3 encoding. It includes 3,000 Acidized loops, 1,000 MIDI files and 90 DLS virtual instruments, with VST plug-in instruments and effects support. NAMM Booth #7123.

SONY SOUND FORGE 9: New features in this Sound Forge upgrade include multichannel audio support, drag/drop editing between channels, wet/dry mix and crossfade options. New analysis tools include phase scopes, mono compatibility meters and multichannel-capable spectrum analysis. Other updates are channel and hardware meters, multichannel Windows Media format support and Dolby Digital AC-3 export. Windows XP and Vista are supported. The upgrade is bundled with CD Architect 5, Noise Reduction 2 and mastering plug-ins comprising a reverb, multiband compressor, IRC limiter and loudness maximizer, and a parametric equalizer. Price: $399.95. NAMM Booth #7123.
www.sonycreativesoftware.com

STEINBERG CUBASE 4.1: Steinberg has released update version 4.1 (Mac/Win) of both Cubase ($799, free update) and Cubase Studio ($399, free update). Although incremental updates, they offer a surprising number of new features and enhancements, including full Windows Vista 32- and 64-bit support. The Sample Editor has a new Inspector-style section that consolidates all audio-editing functions. Sidechain inputs are available for a variety of VST 3.0 plug-ins. The Track Inspector has a new Quick Controls section with eight user-definable MIDI controller assignments to target any mixer or plug-in parameter. Import and export is improved for a variety of media types, and Cubase can open Sequel files, allowing Sequel to be used as a songwriting sketchpad. NAMM Booth #6524.
www.steinberg.net

TASCAM DP-02 PORTASTUDIOS: Tascam has updated its Portastudio line with the release of the DP02 ($499) and DP02CF ($299). The DP-02 records to a built-in 40 GB hard disk, whereas the DP02CF records to a compact flash card. Both 8-track units have two phantom-powered XLR mic/line inputs, and each channel has EQ, pan, volume, record, mute, and effect-send controls. The DP-02 additionally includes a multi-effects processor, stereo reverb, a chromatic tuner, and a CD-RW burner. Both units record uncompressed 16-bit/44.1 kHz audio and have a USB 2.0 interface for transferring data to your Mac or PC. NAMM Booth #6491.
www.tascam.com